United States Senator John McCain, Capt-USN, USNA '58 (R-AZ-Senate) who is running for re-election, has led the fight for reforming Congress, eliminating wasteful government spending, and strengthening our nation’s armed forces since he was elected to the US House of Representatives from Arizona in 1982.

Senator McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone on the US Military base where his father was serving in the US Navy.  He was sworn in as a Midshipman in the US Naval Academy in 1954.  Midshipman McCain graduated from the Naval Academy in 1958 and was commissioned an Ensign in the US Navy.  He followed in the footsteps of his grandfather’s and father’s distinguished US Navy careers after their graduations from the US Naval Academy as both rose to Four Star Admiral Rank.

Following graduation from the US Naval Academy, Ensign McCain went into flight training and received his wings as a naval aviator.  On July 29, 1967, McCain narrowly survived the first of many near-death experiences during his lifetime while preparing to take off on a bombing mission over North Vietnam from his ship, the USS Forrestal. A missile, accidentally fired from a nearby plane, struck the fuel tanks on McCain’s plane.  Instead of taking the option to return home after the Forrestal disaster, McCain volunteered for more combat duty – a fateful decision that stopped the clock on his life and separated him from his family and country for five-and-a-half years.

During his 23rd bombing mission on October 26, 1967 a missile struck his plane and forced him to eject, knocking him unconscious and breaking both of his arms and a leg. McCain  was then taken as a prisoner of war into the now infamous “Hanoi Hilton,” where he was denied necessary medical treatment and often beaten by the North Vietnamese. He spent much of his time as a prisoner of war in solitary confinement, aided by his faith and the friendships of his fellow POWs. 

Because Lieutenant Commander McCain‘s father was a Four Star Admiral and the Commander in Chief of all military forces in the Pacific Theatre, he was offered early release by his North Vietnamese captors.  McCain refused repatriation if his fellow POWs were not also given their freedom.  Since he refused the offer, he was regularly beaten for the remainder of his captivity.

After his release in 1973 McCain regained his flight status and commanded a Squadron.  His last Navy duty assignment was to serve as the Naval Liaison Officer to the United States Senate.  He retired from the Navy as a Captain in 1981 after a 22-year career of service.   Captain McCain’s combat awards include the Legion of Merit with Combat “V,” the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Distinguished Flying Cross, and numerous campaign medals.

Senator McCain currently serves on the following Senate Committees during the 111th  Congress: Ranking Member on the Senate Armed Services Committee; Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions; Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and Committee on Indian Affairs.   

 Senator McCain was the Republican Party Standard Bearer who ran for President of the United States in the 2008 National Presidential race.  Senator John McCain has seven children and four grandchildren.  He currently resides in Phoenix, AZ with his wife Cindy.

In addition to the Combat Veterans For Congress PAC, Senator McCain has been endorsed by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - along with numerous state and local institutions and officials. 

If you review Senator McCain’s positions on his Web site, you would be pleased with his stand on many issues, as he consistently agrees with the Combat Veterans For Congress Mission Statement.  We look forward to supporting Senator McCain’s candidacy, and are pleased that a Combat Veteran of his caliber is serving in the US Senate.

If you have friends, associates, or relatives who know voters in Arizona, kindly pass this E-mail on to them, and ask them to support Senator McCain by working in his campaign, providing financial support for his campaign in any amount, and/or by networking with others who would be willing to support his campaign.  The military is one of the few remaining institutions producing the caliber of men and women needed to restore this nation to the greatness our Founding Fathers envisioned.